The Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, JULY 15, 1886. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1532, 15 July 1886, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, JULY 15, 1886. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Entertainment at Winchester.—A dramatic and christy minstrel entertainment, in aid of the funds of the Winchester School, takes place to-morrow evening, Presbyterian Church, Temuka.—We understand that the Rev. W. Gillies will preach in this church on Sunday next. It is also rumored that the Rev. Mr Mackintosh has forwarded his resignation to the Presbytery. Football. —Practice will take place in the Temuka Park on Saturday, and we hope to see a good number “roll up.”' As there are two or three return matches to be played shortly, it will be well to keep the practice up. R.M. Court, Geraldine.— At this Court on Tuesday, before Dr Fish and W. H. Moore, Esq., J.P.’s, Charles Martin and William May were fined £1 each, .or in default 48 hours' imprisonment, for being drunk and using obscene language in a public place. Unseasonable Fruit,—As an instance of the mildness of the weather, it may be mentioned that Mrs Johns, of Geraldine, gathered a dish of ripe raspberries on Sunday last. The fruit was very well developed, and the flavor not at all bad. Mrs Johns also picked a couple of ripe pears on the same day. Petroleum. —Mr Weaver, the new manager of the South Pacific Petroleum Works, reports the third sand was struck at 1140 feet, the drill being 46 feet in advance. The drill bored one foot into this sand, and as there was a good show of oil and sand, the plug was then inserted according to instructions from Sydney. Upon ! opening the hole the plug was found to have been forced up 40 feet to the bottom of the pipe, and for some 60 or 70 feet oil and sand were forced round the plug into the pipe. A rammer was placed on the plug, which was driven within 10 feet of the bottom. All the fluid was then baled out, but within an hour the pipe filled. The same depth was again bailed out three times. It is estimated that present indications are good for 30 or 30 barrels from the well. Accident. —A Maori boy, aged about 14 years, narrowly escaped being killed at the Terouka Linseed Factory yesterday. The boy, whose name is Kah'u, son of the late G. Kahu, was employed at the works, and as the morning was cold to warm his hands he put them on the endless rope which goes round a wheel that was making between 50 and 60 revolutions per minute. Some part of his sleeve must have caught between the rope and the wheal, with the result that he was whipped round the wheel and dashed to the ground. One of the boys who were working yrith him ran to put the machinery out of gear, hot before he reached the place this had already bee* done as the belt had come off with the accident, and the machine stopped. On the bov being picked up it was found that he was quite unconscious, and to all appearances dying. Xbere was a deep wound on the side of his bead which was bleeding profusely. Mr D. Taylor galloped for! Dr Hayes at once, but before he reached there the boy had regained consciousness. A messenger was despatched to his fiiends at the psh, and shortly afterwards he was taken home, and from the last accounts we learn that he was beyond any danger, although very seriously hurt.

Narrow Escape. —Mr Gone, of Waitohi, and in's daughter had a narrow escape from injury lust Sunday morning. They were driving to Temuka to attend the Salvation Army, and when at the bridge near Mr Elkis’ the horse shied, and the trap was capsized over the embankment. Mr Gone and his daughter were thrown out, but escaped with a slight shaking. One of the shafts of the trap was broken, but nothing else sustained any damage. With the assistance of Mr Elkis the trap was got oat again, and the shaft having been tied up with flax it was taken homo.

l An Inquest Averted. The rather serious accident which happened yesterday at the Linseed Factory had a comical side. Somehow the news reached the town that the boy was killed, and it soon reached the ears of Mr Beswick. After the Court was oyer he called the constable in attendance, and told him that he would hold the inquest immediately before leaving the town. The constable at once proceeded to make the necessary arrangements for the inquest, and had gone through the preliminary canter, when, to his astonishment, ha was informed that the boy was still alive. After having assured himself of the truth of this, he informed the Coroner, and, of course, the inquest was not held. The Eruptions. Several earthquakes were felt at Tarawera last Monday night. The Europeans made a stampede for Pukerehe Hill. The professors made an examination of the Island of Mokia, in the centre of the lake, and found that the water had risen five inches on the south side, and fallen five inches on the north. This shows that the eruption has eaused the country to tilt, and it is believed that Ohinemutu stands three feet higher than before the eruption. Papers were read before the Auckland Institute by Mr Percy Smith, Assistant Surveyor-General, and Mr J. A. Pond, entitled “ Observations on Tarawera eruptions,” They challenge Dr Hector’s theory of local eruptions, and insist on the fertility of the volcanic mud deposits. They express the belief that as the waters fill up Lake Botomahana, and cover the present steam outlet, there will be a further outbreak of hydrothermal action, that the probable outcome will be a gradual decrease of the hot springs in the surrounding districts, and their concentration at Tarawera. The Weather. —This winter has so far been ona of the finest that South Canterbury has enjoyed for many years past. Clear, frosty nights, with beautifully fine days, have been the prevailing weather for some time past. In the back country, too, the fad of snow has been exceptionally light, and should this weather continue, a large percentage of lambs may confidently be looked for. In the agricultural districts the farmers hare been enabled to get their wheat in under the most favorable auspices, and a prolific crop will probably be the result. A much larger area of land is being put in in cereals this season than last, many of the farmers no doubt being tempted by the extremely favorable weather and the improving tone of the markels to turn their attention to cereals. Prom all sides we hoar of the lowness of the rivers, the Hae-hae-te-moana, Waihi, and Kakahu rivers being lower than they are remembered to have been for many years past. What with the splendid prices obtainable for wool, and the present favorable season, the prospects of the farmers are indeed good. Native Matters. —It was resorted in New Plymouth on Monday that the natives were ploughing the land at Okaura, alongside the hotel. This was perfectly true, but the land belongs to them. It was formerly let to the hotelkeeper, but he had given it up, and they are now using it. A rumour of Maoris ploughing at Waitara has been reported, but there is no truth in it. Inpootor, Pardy, with a police interpreter and a couple of constables, visited Werewere oh Monday. From three to four hundred natives were presept at the new meeting-house, just being opened, and the feast was about to commence when the party arriyed. Titikowaru and Te Whetu were present, and invited the party to take part in the feast. Inspector Pardy was placed at the bead of the principal table, with Titikowaru on his right hand, and other European visitors supporting him. There was no speech-making, but the Inspector had a private interview with Te Whetu, who is one of Te Whiti’s right-hand men. The result has not transpired, but certainly no sullonnees nor ill-feeling was apparent amongst the natives at Werewere. We believe that if everyone would use American Co.’s Hop Bitters freely there would bo much less sickness and misery in the world, and people are fast finding this out, whole families keeping well at a trifling cost. We advise all to try it. Bead Advt, SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. Watch —Found between Geraldine and Orari. . Thus. Cad wallader, Manager for Hon. W. Rolleston—Wants a boy. Andrew Gibson, Swamp Farm, near Temuka—Has found a nearly new horse collar. Temuka Road Board—lnvite tenders for cleaning Middle Swamp Road and Toner’s V, drains. Tenders to be in by 4> o’clock on Saturday, July 7th. J. W. Miles, The Hall, Temuka—Announces for 21 days previous to stocktaking very special bargains will be offered in all classes of drapery, clothing, and boots. ' J. Ballantyne and Co., Victoria House, Timaru—Notify that their great reconstruction of partnership of sale has commenced, and that special lines will be looked out each day. Catalogues may be had on application, or will be posted to any address.